Gregg Allman photo by John Gullo
Southern Rock didn’t start with The Allman Brothers Band, but they were the beginning of a string of great rock bands that defined a certain style that became known as Southern Rock. I don’t know what differed between the South, the North, the East and the West that could cause such a distinct sound to emerge, but it happened anyway. The Allman Brothers band just celebrated its 40th anniversary as a band, even though it has changed members so many times that you need a scorecard to keep track. Each time a new member came on board, a little different style was added, which always made, and continues to make, the Allman Brothers one of the great rock bands around.
The Allman Brothers band was formed in 1969 with Duane Allman on guitar, Gregg Allman on organ and vocals, Dickie Betts on guitar, Butch Trucks on drums, Berry Oakley on bass and vocals, and Jai Johanny “Jamioe” Johanson on drums and congas.
The band came on the scene and never looked back. They played the very long songs for which the 60’s are known, and because of that they have a well deserved reputation of being a jam band. Here is a hit song that shows the band in its early style. It is from their third album At Fillmore East, and is a T-Bone Walker song called Stormy Monday.
